Chapter 4.1 Evolution of Philippine Constitution

Johari Abdullah

11 Sept 202404:19

Summary

TLDRJari AMD discusses the evolution of the Philippine constitution, focusing on the 1897 Biak-na-Bato Constitution. This provisional constitution was established during the Philippine Revolution and aimed to create a separate government from Spanish rule. It outlined three governing bodies: the Supreme Council, the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice, and the Assembly of Representatives. Despite its importance, it was never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato between the Spanish and the Philippine revolutionary forces.

Takeaways

📜 A constitution is defined as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or organization is governed.
🏛️ The Philippine Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines, which has been in effect since 1987.
📚 The Philippines has had three constitutions: the 1985 Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution.
🏳️‍🌟 The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was the provisional constitution of the Philippine Republic during the Philippine Revolution.
📜 This constitution was promulgated by the Philippine revolutionary government on November 1, 1897, and was influenced by the Cuban model.
🏛️ The constitution was led by three organizations: the Supreme Council, the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice, and the Assembly of Representatives.
🛑 The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak na Bato signed between the Spanish and the Philippine revolutionary army.
🏞️ Biak na Bato symbolizes the separation of the Philippines from Spanish monarchy and the establishment of a new state with its own government, the Republic of the Philippines.
🗓️ The revolution began on August 24, 1896, and the representatives of the revolution convened at Biak na Bato on November 1, 1897, to establish the constitution's articles.

Q & A

What is a constitution?
-A constitution is defined as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. It is the supreme law that outlines the nature and extent of government powers.
What does the term 'constitution' mean in a broader sense?
-In a broader sense, 'constitution' means the coming together of distinct entities into one group with the same principles and ideals.
When did the current Constitution of the Philippines come into effect?
-The current Constitution of the Philippines, known as the 1987 Constitution, came into effect in 1987.
How many constitutions has the Philippines had?
-The Philippines has had three constitutions: the 1985 Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution.
What was the 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato?
-The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was the provisional constitution of the Philippine Republic during the Philippine Revolution, promulgated on November 1, 1897.
Who wrote the 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato?
-The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Per in Spanish, which was later translated into Tagalog.
What were the three main organizations established by the 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato?
-The three main organizations established were the Supreme Council, the Consejo Supremo de Gracia y Justicia, and the Asamblea de Representantes.
What was the role of the Supreme Council according to the 1897 Constitution?
-The Supreme Council was given the power of the Republic, led by the President and four department secretaries, including Foreign Affairs, Treasury, and War.
What was the function of the Consejo Supremo de Gracia y Justicia?
-The Consejo Supremo de Gracia y Justicia was authorized to make decisions and confirm or overturn rulings given by other courts and dictate policies for the administration of justice.
Why was the 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato never fully implemented?
-The 1897 Constitution was never fully implemented because the Pact of Biak na Bato was signed, which was a truce between the Spanish and the Philippine revolutionary army.
What was the significance of the Biak na Bato meeting in the context of the Philippine Revolution?
-The Biak na Bato meeting was significant as it was where the revolutionary representatives agreed upon and established the articles for the Constitution of the state, reflecting the aspirations and ambitions of the Filipinos during the ongoing war that began on August 24, 1896.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to the Philippine Constitution

Jari AMD introduces the topic of the Philippine constitution's evolution, specifically focusing on the 1897 Biak-na-Bato constitution. The video begins with a definition of a constitution as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents that guide a state or organization. The Philippine constitution, the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines, has been in effect since 1987. The video mentions three significant constitutions in the country's history: the 1985 Commonwealth constitution, the 1973 constitution, and the 1986 Freedom constitution. The discussion then shifts to the 1897 Biak-na-Bato constitution, which was the provisional constitution during the Philippine Revolution. It was promulgated by the Philippine revolutionary government on November 1, 1897, and was influenced by Cuban constitutional ideas. The constitution was structured around three main organizations: the Supreme Council, the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice, and the Assembly of Representatives. However, it was never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, a truce between the Spanish and the Philippine revolutionary army.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Constitution

A constitution is defined as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. In the context of the video, the Philippine Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines, which has been in effect since 1987. The video discusses the evolution of the Philippine constitution, highlighting its importance in defining the nature and scope of the government.

💡Biakk na Bato

Biakk na Bato refers to the 1897 constitution of the Philippine Republic during the Philippine Revolution. It was promulgated by the Philippine revolutionary government on November 1, 1897. The term 'Biakk na Bato' is significant as it marks a provisional constitution that was an attempt to establish a separate government from Spanish rule, aiming for an independent state with its own governance.

💡Philippine Revolution

The Philippine Revolution refers to the conflict that began on August 24, 1896, where Filipinos fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule. The revolution is central to the narrative of the video as it led to the creation of the Biakk na Bato constitution, symbolizing the Filipinos' aspirations for self-governance and freedom.

💡Supreme Councils

The Supreme Councils, or 'Kataas-taasang Konseho' in Tagalog, were organizations given the power of the Republic under the Biakk na Bato constitution. They were led by a president and four department heads, including Foreign Affairs, Treasury, and War. This concept is crucial as it illustrates the structure of governance envisioned by the revolutionary leaders during the early stages of the Philippine Republic.

💡Consejo Supremo de Gracia y Justicia

The 'Consejo Supremo de Gracia y Justicia' or the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice was an authority under the Biakk na Bato constitution tasked with making decisions and confirming or overturning rulings from other courts. This council was integral to the judicial system of the revolutionary government, aiming to administer justice according to the new constitution.

💡Assembly of Representatives

The 'Asamblea de Representantes' or Assembly of Representatives was a body that was supposed to convene after the revolution to create a new constitution and elect a new council of government and representatives of the people. This highlights the democratic aspirations of the revolutionaries, seeking to establish a government that would be representative of the people's will.

💡Pact of Biakk na Bato

The Pact of Biakk na Bato was a truce signed between the Spanish and the Philippine revolutionary army. This pact is mentioned in the video as it led to the temporary suspension of the implementation of the Biakk na Bato constitution, reflecting the complex and often negotiated nature of the struggle for independence.

💡Isabelo Artacho

Isabelo Artacho was a Filipino revolutionary and one of the authors of the Biakk na Bato constitution. His role in drafting the constitution is significant as it represents the intellectual effort to create a legal framework for the envisioned independent Philippine state.

💡Felix Perez

Felix Perez, along with Isabelo Artacho, is credited with writing the Biakk na Bato constitution. His contribution is part of the historical narrative of the video, emphasizing the collaborative efforts in establishing the foundation for the Philippine Republic.

💡Provisionary Constitution

A provisionary constitution is a temporary legal framework that is put in place during a transitional period. The Biakk na Bato constitution is described as such in the video, indicating its role as a transitional document guiding the governance of the Philippines during the revolutionary period before a more permanent constitution could be established.

💡Independence

Independence, particularly from Spanish colonial rule, is a recurring theme in the video. It is the ultimate goal of the revolution and the Biakk na Bato constitution, representing the Filipino people's desire to govern themselves and determine their own destiny.

Highlights

Definition of a constitution as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents.

Constitution as a coming together of distinct entities into one group with shared principles and ideals.

The Philippine Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines since 1987.

There have been three constitutions in Philippine history: 1985, 1973, and 1986.

The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was an attempt to establish a new government during the Philippine Revolution.

The 1897 Constitution was influenced by the Cuban model and written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Perez.

The constitution was promulgated on November 1, 1897, by the Philippine revolutionary government.

The constitution was led by three organizations: Supreme Council, Supreme Council of Grace and Justice, and the Assembly of Representatives.

The Supreme Council was given authority by the Republic and was led by the president and four department secretaries.

The Supreme Council of Grace and Justice had the power to make decisions and confirm or overturn rulings from other courts.

The Assembly of Representatives was tasked with creating a new constitution and selecting a new council after the revolution.

The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak na Bato.

The Pact of Biak na Bato was a truce between the Spanish and the Philippine revolutionary army.

The Biak na Bato was a result of the Philippines' separation from the Spanish monarchy.

The goal of the revolution was to establish a separate state with its own government called the Republic of the Philippines.

The revolution began on August 24, 1896, and aimed to fulfill the aspirations and ambitions of the Filipinos.

The representatives of the revolution met in Biak na Bato on November 1, 1897, to establish the articles for the Constitution of the state.

The 1897 Constitution of Biak na Bato was significant in the Philippine struggle for independence.